Puttenham Orchard Pond Dig, Fruit Tree Weed and Mulch during Storm Antoni

​The fruit trees at Puttenham Parish’s Hog’s-Back Orchard were given some tender loving care, with the trees weeded and mulched at this lovely downland meadow. During winter 2022 the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust removed an area of dense scrub to make way for a new pond in a scrubby corner of the meadow. With the pond liner purchased, it was time to dig this small pond only 350m from School Pond where great crested newts breed. A new chalk bund by the pond will also be created and is likely to be popular with chalk downland plants and insects.